Summary

Tom adapts to his new circumstances as best as can be expected and develops amiable relationships with those around him and also catches the eye of Legree who silently considers making Tom an overseer. Tom's conscientious and compassionate nature eventually irritates Legree who would prefer that Tom were a bit more ruthless and cunning like Quimbo and Sambo.

One day, Tom is joined on the walk to the cotton fields by a distinctive mulatto woman, who says nothing but remains close to Tom throughout the day. Soon Tom learns the woman's name is Cassy and she had been Legree's mistress until the recent arrival of Emmeline. In spite of her regal bearing, Cassy is a facile cotton-picker and can hold her own in the fields. Lucy, one of the slaves who arrived with Tom, is slow and labors hard to fill her bag with cotton. Tom cannot...